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Finally, even the celebration was flawless, out there under that unique intense blue southern sky, amid the chaos of the game-state – hyper Baz energy, England’s lower order scything away death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. Amidst it all, the former captain steered the ball away past fine leg to secure his first Test hundred in Australia.

But, then if you know, you know. Picture trying to explain the reason this was more than heartwarming, uplifting and cleansing, but quietly epic.

A Milestone Preserved in Its Own Light

A player who already possessed 39 hundreds in this starchy formal dance of a sport has now scored his fortieth. Yet, consider the story, the skill, the jags in the road.

There will, of course, be a lot of banter-war material to be resolved. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he considered great by Australian standards?

But there is something deeper about wishing for Root to be great in Australia. This isn't concerning point-scoring. Every Australian who knows about cricket is well aware Root is a world-class cricketer.

Root's Century as a Solid Anchor

Root’s hundred felt significant in other ways, especially as something concrete in the series for this team, a foothold in the difficulty.

Can England secure victory at the Gabba? Don’t know. But Joe Root got a hundred. Was Harry Brook's dismissal the poorest shot? Yes. He did.

And not just a hundred in Australia, but a outstanding one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that may have saved his team in this series.

It began with the wings already falling off, and England’s premier batsman coming out at two wickets down for five runs. He was given a life early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Middle

In the afternoon session, England were 175 for three. Two versions of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

At one end, Root was playing his natural game, relaxed, graceful, watchful. Meanwhile, Brook was batting like a man who urgently requires the bathroom.

Throughout, a darkness was coming, shadows creeping across the ground, and the pink ball genius revving up for the pivotal spell of the day.

A Damaging Stroke

Do you run towards this danger? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

The delivery to Brook was full, the edge healthy. There is no context where this was a good choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia like the Tin Man. Now Brook gave us the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

The Veteran's Quiet Rebuke

And so one half of this England team kept faltering, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the team's cause.

Root provided his own quiet rebuke, a triumph for doing your homework, correcting your flaws.

England are still in this series because he achieved the milestone, offered a lesson in what talent truly means.

Will they take twenty wickets? Are they going to learn? Uncertain. But Joe Root made a hundred.